In the scenic village of Pangot near Nainital, Shagun Singh has crafted an extraordinary home where visitors enter through the doors of a retired Mahindra Bolero. This innovative dwelling combines mud, stone, and lime with recycled car parts and a living grass roof, showcasing sustainable living inspired by nature.
- House entry from an old Mahindra Bolero SUV’s doors
- Built with mud, stone, lime, and natural materials
- Living roof topped with real grass and flood-resistant design
What happened
Shagun Singh, an architect from Pangot village near Nainital, constructed a one-of-a-kind home known as 'Gaadi Ghar' or car house. The unique entryway uses the doors of an abandoned Mahindra Bolero, welcoming visitors into a home built with mud, stone, lime, and locally sourced materials. Shagun shifted from a corporate marketing career in 2015 to focus on sustainable building methods through her centre, Geeli Mitti, which educates on natural construction techniques.
Completed over 45 days, the home includes a stone foundation that adapts to the uneven terrain, cob walls ranging in thickness for structural integrity, and a three-inch mud layer supporting a living roof that grows grass. Inside, features like a bed sculpted from cob beside a flowing stream, plastered walls burnished with natural elements, and hand-carved wooden lintels demonstrate detailed craftsmanship rooted in environmental harmony.
Why it feels good
This innovative home design reconnects living spaces with nature, offering a footprint that embraces the landscape instead of altering it. The use of natural, biodegradable materials creates a calm, earthy atmosphere that highlights warmth and sustainability. Choosing mud and lime walls over concrete reflects a commitment to environmentally friendly practices and resourcefulness in construction.
The living roof, covered with real grass, not only provides insulation but also symbolizes growth and life atop the home. The creative reuse of car doors as the main entrance gives the dwelling a personal story and a surprising twist, reminding us how old materials can inspire fresh ideas and reduce waste. It invites us all to reconsider what building a home can look like in harmony with nature.
What to enjoy or watch next
Visitors to Pangot can explore the Gaadi Ghar to experience first-hand how traditional and modern ecological building methods can combine into an artful, functional home. The mixture of natural light, textured walls, and integration with the forest outside offers a peaceful retreat and a showcase of sustainable living innovations.
For those inspired, Geeli Mitti’s workshops offer opportunities to learn cob building and natural construction techniques. Following similar projects or sharing stories of creative reuse in architecture can spark ideas for eco-friendly homes and help communities embrace sustainability while celebrating artistic expression.